Pediatric Atrial Fibrillation, Although Rare, Has Risk of Serious Complications and High Recurrence Rates

Lone atrial fibrillation in children has substantial symptomatic burden
and recurrence rate say researchers in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology

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Philadelphia, PA, October 7, 2013

Atrial fibrillation (AF), characterized by a rapid and
irregular heartbeat, is the most common chronic arrhythmia in adults, but is
rare in children. In one of the first studies of pediatric "lone AF" (AF
without associated heart disease), researchers found a nearly 40% recurrence
rate and that AF in the young is accompanied by substantial symptoms. Three
patients had significant complications: one with a stroke and two with
substantially impaired heart function. The researchers' findings are published
in the October issue of the Canadian
Journal of Cardiology.

"Large population studies of adult patients with lone AF
have found that the cumulative rate of progression to permanent AF is 19% at
ten years and 29% at 30 years, but there are no similar data published for
younger patients. Longer term follow-up studies of pediatric patients with lone
AF are required to better understand the natural history specific to this
population," says lead investigator Shubhayan Sanatani, MD, Associate
Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of British Columbia,
Vancouver.

Lone AF is defined as occurring in patients with AF who are
less than 60 years of age and do not suffer from other forms of cardiovascular
disease or hypertension. Lone AF in younger patients is rare and
constitutes less than 5% of all types of AF.

Four centers from the Canadian Pediatric Electrophysiology
Working Group (Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, and Ottawa) identified patients
eligible for the current study, which resulted in the largest cohort of
pediatric lone AF to date. Investigators reviewed records from 1996 to 2011 and
identified 42 patients with a first episode of lone AF. Four patients were
later categorized as having persistent AF. Patients with AF in the setting of
thyroid disease, ventricular pre-excitation, coexisting congenital heart
disease, or a history of cardiac surgery were excluded. Thirty-one of the
patients were male, and the median age at first presentation was 15 years.

The investigators sought to describe the clinical
characteristics, management strategies, and recurrence rates and to identify
factors that might predict AF recurrence. They found that AF recurred in 15 of
38 patients (39%) and the time to estimated recurrence was 19 months. Factors
predictive of recurrence included longer duration of the initial episode and
the reporting of frequent palpitations (daily or weekly) after the initial
episode. Three patients had AF-related complications.

There was a wide variation in management strategies used in
both the acute treatment and outpatient management of AF, particularly in the
treatment of the initial presenting episode.

Sex, age, family history, size of the left atrium, and a
history of cardioversion (a procedure that can "shock" certain abnormal rhythms
back to a normal rhythm) were not associated with recurrence. Excluding
patients with persistent AF, recurrence with another supraventricular
tachyarrhythmia (SVT) was observed in 6 of 38 (16%) patients, which is possibly
a predisposing factor for AF. Twelve patients underwent electrophysiology (EP)
study, with six patients receiving ablation.

"In conclusion, although it appears to be a rare disease in
pediatric patients, lone AF does carry a substantial burden of symptoms and has
a high recurrence rate," comments Dr. Sanatani. "Our reported rate of
recurrence of 39% is important when counseling pediatric patients and their
families on the expected course and treatment goals. The specific management
strategies in pediatric patients have still not been well defined, but there is
a need for an organized and consistent approach. Pediatric practice should be
in alignment with published adult guidelines. Long-term follow-up studies and
larger series of pediatric patients with lone AF are required to better understand
the natural history," he concludes.

Full text of the article is available to credentialed
journalists upon request. Contact Eileen
Leahy at +1 732 238 3628or e.leahy@elsevier.com to obtain copies.

Journalists wishing to set up interviews with the authors
should contact Dr. Shubhayan Sanatani at ssanatani@cw.bc.ca.

About the Canadian Journal Of Cardiology The Canadian Journal of Cardiology (www.onlinecjc.ca) is the official journal of
the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (www.ccs.ca).
It is a vehicle for the international dissemination of new knowledge in
cardiology and cardiovascular science, particularly serving as a major venue
for the results of Canadian cardiovascular research and Society guidelines. The
journal publishes original reports of clinical and basic research relevant to
cardiovascular medicine as well as editorials, review articles, case reports,
and papers on health outcomes, policy research, ethics, medical history, and
political issues affecting practice.

About the
editor-in-chiefEditor-in-Chief Stanley Nattel, MD, is Paul-David Chair in
Cardiovascular Electrophysiology and Professor of Medicine at the University of
Montreal and Director of the Electrophysiology Research Program at the Montreal
Heart Institute Research Center.

About the Canadian
Cardiovascular SocietyThe Canadian Cardiovascular Society is the professional
association for Canadian cardiovascular physicians and scientists working to
promote cardiovascular health and care through knowledge translation,
professional development, and leadership in health policy. The CCS provides
programs and services to its 1900+ members and others in the cardiovascular community,
including guidelines for cardiovascular care, the annual Canadian
Cardiovascular Congress, and, with the Canadian Cardiovascular Academy,
programs for trainees. More information about the CCS and its activities can be
found at www.ccs.ca.

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